It was a big year for Cleveland. The Cavs made it all the way to the NBA finals, the Republican National Convention decided this was the right place to host its presidential convention in 2016. The city continued to grow and flourish, spinning out new buildings, new entrepreneurs and innovative ideas.

As 2015 comes to a close, the staff at Fresh Water looks back at some of the hottest stories that caught our readers’ eyes this year. Here’s a rundown of the top 10 Fresh Water stories for 2015:

1.    Rock Hard Guitar Picks
A background in physics and a love for music leads to new guitar pick
Genvac founder Jerry Mearini melded his physics expertise with his love for rock and roll to create an indestructible guitar pick.

2.    Fresh Fork Market
Fresh Fork Market and chef Adam Lambert to open boutique grocery in Ohio City
Trevor Clatterbuck of Fresh Fork Market is teaming up with chef Adam Lambert to open a unique new storefront on Lorain Avenue in Ohio City.

superelectric in Gordon Square

3.    Gordon Square Pop-ups
Gordon Square set to explode with new pop-ups, pinball, poutine and more
A host of highly anticipated eateries and pop-up ventures is set to take the funky Gordon Square neighborhood to the next level and beyond.

4.    Campus District
The next must-live Cleveland neighborhood is...
In this running series, Fresh Water explores Cleveland neighborhoods that are primed for growth. This week, writer Erin O'Brien examines the Campus District.

5.    St. Martin De Porres
New $26.5 million high school set for St. Clair Superior neighborhood
The Saint Martin De Porres High School is re-affirming its anchor status in near east side neighborhood in a profound -- and permanent -- way.

6.    Variety Theatre
Once-dazzling Variety Theatre set for rebirth as new Lorain Avenue anchor
The beloved 1927 theater and building is poised for renovation and a starring role on Lorain Avenue.

Rick Semersky at Cafe 557.    East Side Retail Rejuvenation
Two east side neighborhoods spark retail rejuvenation
Game-changing projects are about to launch in the St. Clair Superior and North Collinwood neighborhoods.

8.    Startups to Watch
Off and running: six startups to watch in 2015
Vestor, Lufthouse and Knotprofit make our list of startups to watch in 2015.

9.    925 Building
925 set to send East 9th and Euclid into the stratosphere
Hudson Holdings plans to spend $280 million at the former Huntington Bank Building, with new apartments, office and retail space, a luxury hotel, and a host of entertainment venues set to fill the grand space by 2018.

10.    Recycle and Reuse
Reclaiming pieces from the past
Companies in Cleveland are saving wood and other materials destined for the landfill and transforming them into beautiful, high-quality furniture and flooring.